Promotions for the new year at Northern California casinos

Gambers wait for openings at 21 tables in the main casino area at Thunder Valley Casino, east of Sacramento.

Gambers wait for openings at 21 tables in the main casino area at...

The new year has brought new promotions from several Northern California casinos, promising everything from cash prizes to, of all things, “gifts” to enhance one’s physical fitness. Below are some of the most appealing promos.

Thunder Valley Casino Resort: Located in Lincoln, about 30 miles northeast of Sacramento, the casino has just launched its $1 million Lights Out Lexus Giveaway. Weekly drawings, at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights, start Jan. 13 and run through February. Eight winners will play for a shot at winning the grand prize: a new Lexus GS 350 sedan or between $5,000 and $20,000 cash.

The seven players who don’t win the grand prize will be awarded $1,000 in cash or free play. A bonus drawing the same nights at 10 p.m. will award $250 in free slot play to another 20 players. Thunder Rewards members can earn entries by playing slot and table games. Players must be present to win.

On Thursday, Jan. 12, members can get wireless earphones for 750 points.

Another Thunder Valley promo called Play & Get Gifts is offering fitness trackers to its rewards program members. On Tuesday, Jan. 17, and Thursday, Jan. 19, members can cash in 1,000 points to get a Fitbit-like device.

Playing the odds

Throughout January, slot players earn five times the standard points on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 10 p.m.

To celebrate Chinese New Year, which this year falls on Jan. 28, the casino also has a few festivities and promotions lined up. On Jan. 24 and 26, club members can get a 10-pack of little red envelopes used for giving monetary gifts. At 3 p.m. Jan. 28, a traditional lion dance will wind its way through the casino. And on Jan. 31 and Feb. 2, the first 800 rewards club members to earn 88 points will get a 2017 Chinese Year of the Rooster calendar.

Cache Creek Casino Resort: In Brooks, near Lake Berryessa, Cache Creek brings back its Pick the Pros game whereby Cache Club members select the winners of NFL playoff games and earn $10 in bonus play for each correct pick.

Cache Creek’s Year of Fortune giveaway, which runs through February, awards cash prizes of $8,888 to one winner each Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. Another seven players each night will win $888. On Feb. 25, the last day of the contest, there will be $8,888 winners every hour from noon to 6 p.m.

Graton Resort & Casino: This month at 11 p.m. Fridays, the casino is giving away a Dodge Challenger and cash prizes (25 awards of $250 each week) to Graton Rewards members. Any unclaimed prizes, cars and cash, will be given away at 9 p.m. Jan. 29.

Graton Resort & Casino is in Rohnert Park, about 40 miles north of San Francisco. For more information, go to www.gratonresortcasino.com.